THE REVIEW 📰

🇪🇺 US–Iran Escalation: Europe Reacts

Trump’s Airstrikes Ignite Fears of Wider War European papers are gripped by the sudden US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, with headlines torn between dread of escalation and disbelief at the rapid spiral into war. Most highlight American unilateralism, Iranian vows of revenge, and fears for Europe’s security and energy.

🛑 All-Out War Fears & Escalation Risks

Papers warn of a “brink of global war”, an uncontrollable escalation, and stress the historic unpredictability of such a conflict.

• The Times — “Iran vows revenge on US”
• The Guardian — “Iran vows revenge after US bombs its key nuclear sites”
• Le Temps 🇨🇭 — “US–Iran: yet another war”
• Tribune de Genève 🇨🇭 — “The United States strikes Iran and the world holds its breath”
• La Vanguardia 🇪🇸 — “Trump enters the war”
• i — “Trump pushes Middle East to the brink”
• The Scotsman — “World left holding its breath after Trump strikes Iran”

⚠️ European Security & Terror Fears

Front pages focus on direct threats to European soil, with talk of retaliatory attacks, rising terror alerts, and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.

• Daily Mail — “Fears UK will now face Iran terror backlash”
• Scottish Daily Mail — “Fears UK will now face Iran terror backlash”
• Daily Express — “Starmer warns of ‘escalation’ risk as UK terror threat rises”
• Neue Zürcher Zeitung 🇨🇭 — “The USA leads war against Iran”
• elEconomista 🇪🇸 — “Iran orders the blockade of Hormuz, threatening 20% of world oil flow”

🛢 Energy, Oil & Economic Shockwaves

Markets are on edge. There’s broad consensus that the closure of Hormuz and oil shocks could ripple into a European economic crisis.

• The Times — “Tehran votes to choke world’s oil supply”
• Financial Times — “The US has opened a Pandora’s box but the question is: what will happen next?”
• El Economista 🇪🇸 — “Iran orders the blockade of Hormuz due to US attack; oil price could soar”
• Metro — “Shock waves after America’s bombers go in”

🗳 Diplomatic Appeals & Divided Politics

European leaders and editors urge restraint, dialogue, and negotiation — but acknowledge they’re bystanders to an American show of force. There’s visible scepticism about the US administration’s motives and Europe’s own impotence.

• The Yorkshire Post — “PM’s plea after US bombers strike Iran”
• The Guardian — “Leaders call for diplomacy, but they won’t challenge the cause of this war”
• The Scotsman — “Starmer calls for diplomacy after nuclear sites bombed”
• El Periódico 🇪🇸 — “Trump enters the war and Iran seeks Putin’s support”
• Politiken 🇩🇰 — “Donald Trump plays a dangerous game”

🔥 Iran’s Vengeance & Regional Destabilisation

Iran’s threats of “everlasting consequences” dominate. Some front pages note massive protests, potential rocket attacks, and Israel’s direct involvement. Editorials warn against misreading the risk of uncontrollable escalation.

• The Daily Telegraph — “Revenge would be Iran’s worst mistake, warns US”
• Morning Star — “300,000 march for peace as Trump drops Iran bombs”
• La Regione 🇨🇭 — “The United States enters the war against Iran”
• Corriere del Ticino 🇨🇭 — “The clash escalates: Iran cries for revenge”
• Le Temps 🇨🇭 — “The greatest danger: Trump’s ‘quick victory’”

📰 Selected Quotes

In just 36 hours, Europe is shocked into alarm by US air strikes, Iran’s threats of all-out war, and leaders left with only pleas for calm — and very little influence.

• Blick 🇨🇭 — “US enters the war”
• The Independent — “Trump insists Iran bombing not about regime change”
• Daily Mirror — “STOP NOW: Starmer leading calls for calm after blitz on nuke sites”
• Daily Record — “WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS: Calls for calm after Trump blitz on Iran”
• Financial Times — “Trump declares victory with massive air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities”

Today in the UK 🇬🇧